Courtois would relish linking up with Hazard at Madrid

Eden Hazard would be welcomed at Real Madrid by former Chelsea team-mate Thibaut Courtois.

Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois.

Thibaut Courtois said he would relish the chance to play with former Chelsea team-mate and current Belgium colleague Eden Hazard at Real Madrid.

Hazard has been persistently linked with a move to Madrid and, with his contract set to expire in June 2020 and Chelsea struggling for a top-four finish this season, he could be an attractive target for the LaLiga club at the end of this campaign.

Courtois spent four years playing alongside Hazard at Stamford Bridge, winning the Premier League in 2015 and 2017, and they also reached the semi-finals of the World Cup together last year.

Read: Eric Harrison, mentor to Man United's Class of '92, dies aged 81

The goalkeeper claimed to be unaware of the situation regarding Hazard's future but revealed he would welcome a reunion at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"It would be nice, of course, but I cannot say much about it," he told VTM Nieuws.

"That is something he has to decide and what Madrid must decide if they want him, because I do not know that either.

"But Eden is a top player and also my buddy, so if he came here it would be fun, but he has to make his choices."

Asked whether he had spoken to Hazard about the possibility of a move, Courtois added: "No, occasionally we laugh at the fact that we like to play football together but that is something I do not interfere in.

"We will see at the end of the season what can happen but Eden is a fantastic football player."